Topics

21

General Mach Discussion / Years on now Mach 3 is dropping out on me? Screenset 2010

« on: September 06, 2020, 03:35:15 AM »

Ive been using Mach 3 for years! But only just now am I using the G55 (onwards) offsets and only just now am I controlling my spindle with the software. Its all very nice.

But now I find that during a button press for example going to the probing screen, or hitting the "ref all" button, Mach 3 will just disappear. Not just that, today I was saving an offset, boom, Mach 3 is gone. Unable to reopen it. Have to restart to get anything going again. This is getting normal.

Before I dig into my own troubleshooting anyone have any thoughts or had this prior?

Running a genuine version of XP Pro. Cant remember the specs of my PC, but its not small or ancient. The PC itself just keeps running ok.

One thing though, I decided to backup my settings. I did this by copying the whole Mach 3 folder. But when I went to paste the folder to a USB stick, it errored saying the "probe (something)" was in use and unable to be copied. That makes me think there is something wrong with the probe file that must still have been running in the background?

22

General Mach Discussion / Chinese BOB with 2010 a funny one.

« on: August 13, 2020, 03:27:48 PM »

Semi works with original screenset wont with 2010. Hey this is a funny one! I am using a Chinese BOB because I am a true tightarse and actually dont mind it. I am going to take advice soon (in the next few years) and go for a nice board one day. I have pretty much rebuilt my machine so best I do.

I have decided to control my new spindle with my BOB.... or PC anyway. Bench testing the BOB I have been unable to get the 0-10v output to work. Its the common BOB all the Chinese are selling. Has a 12-24v input, and a 0-10v spindle output. Not sure why it wont work, I reckon it is not a winner to be honest. I have a few of these boards and none of them even give me a volt out of the spindle output. Perhaps I have wired or pinned  it incorrectly, I dont know. Its been a sound controller though I will say that. This forum wont let me upload a pic sorry.

What I have found, is I am able to get a 0-5 voltage out of the pin I choose to control the spindle speed. Its linear on what speed I select. So I am going to hook up a Homman (spelling sorry) DC03 to convert that 0-5v to 0-10v - it has a connection to go straight onto the 10k pot input on my HY VFD . Perhaps its actually a PWM singal that is working? Quite plausible given I am getting 0-5v.

But. Playing around with this setup on my table, I have been able to get my BOB spindle relay to work, on/off, no problem with the original Mach 3 screenset. No problem at all. But on the 2010 screenset, same pinouts, it will not. the little LED on the BOB with the 2010 screenset kind of just luminates about 40% brightness, and the relay stays where it is. Its weird, I dont understand how different screensets can do this? Any ideas why?

Actually, if anyone has gotten one of these BOBs to work with the 0-10v output to work I would like to hear about it.

Best regards from NZ

23

General Mach Discussion / Old machine new problem got me stumped

« on: July 31, 2020, 07:32:29 AM »

I am using Fusion 360. A couple of files ago I found when I went to cut a part out, with the machine set to zero on the WCS, the part was in the incorrect place. I thought it was due to some noise from a component inside my control box messing with the coordinates of my machine.

It happened again this evening. A couple of restarts and the part came right. I just loaded it into a version of Mach 3 I have here on this PC, its done exactly the same thing. The part zero should be at the bottom LH corner of the part. I have attached a picture and also the code. -

Oh - forum wont let me upload files An Error Has Occurred!
Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again."

I most certainly set the wcs in Fusion. Thats a biggy for me or Fusion has a tanty and wont work. Any ideas? Its weird. Infact I ran this file with the Z zero 50mm up just to see what would happen but it went somewhere else on the table. Any advise appreciated in advance. B

24

Mach Screens / Screenset 2010 - is there a better one?

« on: June 03, 2020, 03:57:33 AM »

I have been using screenset 2010 for..... wow, ever since I began playing with CNC and thats a LOOOOONNNNG time. Gerry - was it you who designed it I bought it off?

I cant say I have a lot of experience with any others but it is just fantastic. Worth every penny and more so thanks for 2010. I went to control my spindle the other day with Mach 3 (yes its been years in the making haha) but realised there is no spindle on/off or control. Is there a way I can do this using 2010? I know, basic question but hey, I couldn't find one. And is upgrade time.

Also, whilst in the mood, is there an upgraded screenset from the 2010 that anyone can recommend for a router?

Regards to all
Boydage

25

General Mach Discussion / Spindle speed input BOB Stepperonline

« on: March 30, 2020, 05:03:42 PM »

Home machine. Lathe with Mach3 turn. Spindle speed input used to work with a different BOB board but now it is erratic. It will show spindle speed, run up to approx 950rpm with my variable speed motor. When I turn the variable speed motor down, it will decrease slowly with the chuck speed, but then jump approx 400rpm higher?? Example it was sitting at 457RPM, then bumped up to 857rpm uncommanded. This is indication only.

I have a hall sensor installed on my lathe spindle. Its connected to the 12vdc on the BOB, using the ground side of the inputs of the BOB. And each time the sensor senses a pulse, is pulsing 12vdc into pin 10. As I understand it, these pins are for the homing switches and are looking for an earth. Is this perhaps where I am going wrong? If so, I guess I will build up a transistor set to do just that.

But curious if anyone can offer a solution first?

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General Mach Discussion / Old one, Radius is different end of arc from start blocked.....

« on: February 28, 2020, 09:24:17 PM »

I have no idea why? Drew this up in SharkCad, Cambam next. I tried changing the IJ to inc to see its already there.

Have absolutely no idea how to fix this instead of redraw it in Cambam. Would be nice not too have too?

Gcode below if someone can help, would appreciate it a lot. Sorry not allowed to paste all the code so attached the file. B

27

General Mach Discussion / Has anyone wired 4 lead steppers with 3 leads?

« on: July 19, 2019, 07:26:39 PM »

As above question - I have a lot of 3c wire around. I am automating my Tenoning machine with one stepper and a Chinese controller. The setup will work, but I need about 4m of 4C cable to go from the driver to the stepper.

So what is stopping me from wiring up my Nema 23 4 lead motor to the driver but sharing the negative leads? In effect a common and only needing a 3C cable. Am I missing something about steppers that means they need to be seperate?

Rgds

28

General Mach Discussion / 2010 screenset probing question

« on: June 13, 2019, 07:06:38 PM »

I love the 2010 screenset - I dont think my question it about it particularly. But when I use the probe function to zero my tool against a workpiece, the program changes the machine coordinates as well.  So the fixed tool plate is no longer in the correct place, soft limits no longer work, because the machine seems to home to the new zero.

Know what I mean? What am I missing here?

Regards Boyd

29

General Mach Discussion / Slaving closed loop stepper motors

« on: April 19, 2019, 08:12:41 PM »

I have bought a couple of closed loop stepper motors off StepperOnline. Chinese company. This is to replace the Chinese steppers I have been using for many years.

Very strange issue though, and thought I might post here to see if anyone else has had a problem with closed loop slaved steppers losing steps. Yep, but not very many, lets say 1mm over a span of 500mm increasing exponentially.   (ooh did I spell that right? Ha)

System has the A axis slaved off the Y - and I think, this is the problem. Although I cant confirm that unless I put one on my X axis which I am reluctant to do.

But I have troubleshot this system to death (apart from the above). Infact to the point of hooking the drivers up to their stolen software (off Leadshine) to double check the resolution settings of the encoder and also the driver. To no avail, I get exactly the same fault. The closed loop steppers are cool, if I overcome them on standstill, they will drive right back to where they were. So thought I would post here prior to pulling them off.

Boyd

30

General Mach Discussion / Stepper motors that shudder.

« on: April 01, 2019, 02:25:55 AM »

I have a router, running it with Nema 23 425lb motors on screws. The Y axis has double motors. If I set the speeds any higher than 1800, whilst jogging my Nema 23s will stop, with a corresponding brrrrr sound. Kind of like the sound my Milwaukee driver makes pushing in a screw.

The jog speed with a 5mm pitch screw is about 1800, anything above that I will have the above fault appear. But am unsure if I am asking too much of these motors or do I need to troubleshoot them? If I slow everything down it all becomes good and happy.

Or, is it just I should upgrade to Nema 34 motors?

Also I see my drivers are up to 50V and I am supplying them with 36V. Is it better for the drivers to be receiving the higher voltage?

What do you think?